TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- Alabama players, and especially coach Nick Saban, won't ever discuss the possibility of the Crimson Tide being able to rout its upcoming opponent enough to clear the benches during the second half.

It's presumptive, Saban would often say, no matter how weak or overmatched the foe might be.

Clearly, though, there were going to be plenty of opportunities someone like freshman running back Kenyan Drake when the Crimson Tide hosted FCS cellar-dweller Western Carolina last month.

Drake just never made it to the sidelines. His one-game suspension for a repeated violation of team rules wouldn't allow it.

"It would have been great to have him out there today," Saban said after the Crimson Tide's 49-0 rout of the Catamounts. "He would have gotten a lot of playing time."

Drake came back one week later and did what he was accustomed to doing all season. After the Crimson Tide built a big lead on Auburn, Drake helped Alabama run out the clock by piling up yards and first downs during the second half. He finished with 67 yards on just 10 carries, helping him finish the regular season with 273 yards on just 39 attempts.

He sat outside of his locker after Saturday's SEC Championship victory over Georgia and reflected on the progress he made and the lessons he learned during his freshman campaign.

"I've improved, gotten better as a person too just because I understand
that I've got to be able to conform to the team and be able to go out
there and make sure I do my thing on the field and off the field," Drake said. "It
definitely helped me move on."

That Drake came away from the 2012 season with the third-most rushing yards on the team -- 273 at that -- couldn't have been predicted during the offseason. He enrolled during the summer and was the fifth Crimson Tide running back to carry the ball during the season opener against Michigan.

A few, early blowouts and season-ending injuries to Jalston Fowler and Dee Hart vaulted Drake into a position where he was able to regularly contribute.

He ran for touchdowns in three consecutive September games and added two more in October to finish with five.

"Just go in and make a difference," Drake said. "Be able to show that I can contribute
to a great team as such as our team is. Show that one day I want to be
able to contribute to the team on a higher level."

The tough part will be whether Drake can elevate his responsibilities as a sophomore.

If Eddie Lacy doesn't leave for the NFL, Alabama will boast an even deeper backfield than the one it had at the start of 2012. The Crimson Tide currently holds commitments from three players (Tyren Jones, Altee Tenpenny and Derrick Henry) who are capable of carrying the ball.

Drake said he's encouraged by how Alabama splits carries among a bevy of backs.

"I love my fellow running backs," Drake said. "Coach has a great plan for us. You go in
there and whatever play you get called, you're going to execute for the
team.

"You just go out and compete every day and you see what type of moves
they can do on the field and you realize you can add to your game and
try to see what else you can improve on."

Even when he hasn't played, he's learned plenty.

"I've improved a lot," Drake said. "Not just physically, but also mentally just because
it gave me an opportunity to sit behind some great players and be able
to develop my skills for such a time where I'll be able to get in and do
my thing."

Check out the rest of Drake's interview by clicking on the video at the top of the page.